GEORGE NEWS - The Garden Route Dam Action Group (Gardag) has won the legal review to set aside the decisions to approve the Garden Route Dam development.
According to a statement by Gardag, the High Court in Cape Town on 12 August ordered that the environmental authorisation for the proposed development on portions of the Remainder of Erf 464 in George (the so-called Garden Route Dam development) are set aside.
The decision by the Minister of Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning of the Western Cape Provincial Government to confirm the granting of the environmental authorisation on the appeal by Gardag and others were overruled.
The minister and the director of Development Management: Western Cape Department of Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning were ordered to pay Gardag's cost.
On Gardag's application to the High Court, the George Municipality decided not to oppose the application and abide by the decision of the court.
Subsequently a settlement agreement was signed between Gardag and the minister and the director, to make Gardag's application a court order.
"Gardag and the public of George are delighted to have the decisions set aside to protect the integrity of the Garden Route Dam.
"This dam is the only source of water to supply the city.
"Numerous incidences of poor potable water quality throughout South Africa emphasises the need to avoid any potential pollution from development in the catchment area of the dam," Gardag said in the statement.
Comment from the department and George Municipality will be obtained.
Large numbers of Georgians are protective over the Garden Route Dam area and would not want to see it being developed. Photo: Alida de Beer
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